Step 1

Pre-heat your oven to 335ºF. Prepare two 8" cake pans with cake goop or other pan release. I prefer to make my chocolate ganache the day before I need it so to give it time to cool down.

Step 2

Bring the water to a boil and pour over the cocoa powder. Whisk until smooth then add in cold mayonnaise, vanilla and eggs. Whisk to break up the eggs.

Step 3

Weigh out all dry ingredients (flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt) and place into a stand mixer bowl and attach the paddle attachment.

Step 4

Turn mixer on low (setting 1 on Kitchen Aid mixers). Add in your room temperature butter in small chunks. Combine on low until you achieve a sandy mixture.

Step 5

Add 1/3 of your liquid ingredients into your dry ingredients and mix on medium for 2 minutes. If you do not do this step, your cake could collapse.

Step 6

Turn your mixer back down to low and add in the rest of your liquids slowly. Stop once or twice to scrape the bowl as needed.Once they are all combined, turn back up to medium for another 30 seconds.

Step 7

Fold in your chocolate chips or chocolate

Step 8

Bake for 35 minutes at 335ºF depending on how big your pans are. The bigger the pan, the longer it will take for them to bake. When a toothpick comes out of the center with a few sticky crumbs on it, the cake is done.

Step 9

After the cakes have cooled for about 10 minutes, or the pans have cooled to the point they can be touched, flip the cakes over and remove from the pans onto a cooling rack to cool completely. I cover mine in plastic wrap to keep them from drying out why they cool.

Step 10

Once the cakes are completely cool you can trim them and frost them.

Step 11

Heat your heavy whipping cream until it's just starting to simmer, do not boil.

Step 12

Pour your hot cream over your chocolate chips, making sure they are fully submerged.

Step 13

Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes, then add in your vanilla and salt

Step 14

Whisk until smooth. If you have any un-melted pieces of chocolate, heat the mixture for 30 seconds in the microwave and whisk again. Do not over-heat or you can break your ganache.

Step 15

Cover the surface with plastic wrap and let cool at room temperature for 24 hours before using.